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About UsAs the seasons shift in Ohio, many homeowners focus on turning on the furnace but overlook end-of-summer plumbing needs that can cause costly repairs—ignoring hidden leaks and your water heater before cooler weather comes around can lead to frozen pipes, basement flooding, and unexpected downtime for your home’s plumbing system.
At Logan Services, we help Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati homeowners stay ahead of these issues. Use this end-of-summer plumbing checklist to protect your home and ensure your heating system starts strong.
Call us today at (800) 564-2611 or schedule a professional inspection or consultation online before the first cold snap.
End-of-Summer Plumbing Quick List
This table highlights what you can handle yourself and when it’s best to call Logan Services, but our plumbers are more than happy to help with any jobs that are outside your comfort level.
| DIY-Friendly | Call Logan Services’ Plumbers | |
|---|---|---|
| Drain & Winterize Outdoor Spigots & Hoses | ✔ | |
| Inspect Faucet Handles & Sink Drains | ✔ | |
| Check For Hidden Leaks, Water Stains, or Rising Water Bill | ✔ | |
| Sump Pump Testing & Maintenance | ✔ | |
| Insulate Exposed Pipes in Crawl Spaces, Exterior Walls, or Unheated Areas | ✔ | |
| Water Heater Flushing, Anode Rod, Fill Valves, & Sediment Buildup Service | ✔ | |
| Drain Cleaning | ✔ | |
| Sewer Line Inspection | ✔ | |
| Replace Hose Bibs | ✔ | |
| Water Pressure Testing | ✔ | |
| Water Quality Testing | ✔ |
Fall Prep Tip: Schedule your fall plumbing preparation with your furnace tune-up for time-saving and ensuring a smooth start-up when temperatures dip!
Step 1: Drain And Winterize Outdoor Faucets And Hoses
Shut off and drain outdoor spigots and disconnect hoses to prevent trapped water from freezing and splitting water supply lines. Install insulated faucet covers if your hose bibs are not frost-proof. For added peace of mind, Logan Services can ensure shutoff valves are working properly and provide professional winterization.
How To Do It
- Close Interior Shutoff Valves To Exterior Lines
- Open Outside Spigots To Drain Remaining Water
- Remove, Drain, And Store All Garden Hoses
- Add Insulated Covers Or Frost Caps As Needed
Step 2: Check For Hidden Leaks
Inspect under sinks, around toilet bases, and visible pipe joints; minor drips expand with temperature swings and can become burst pipe events. Fix worn supply lines and tighten loose fittings now. For thorough detection, Logan Services can perform a whole-home leak inspection with moisture meters, camera inspections, and thermal tools to find hidden leaks, water stains, and other issues that raise your water bill before freezes.
Where To Look For Leaks
- P-Traps, Shutoff Valves, And Flexible Connectors
- Toilet Supply Lines And Wax Ring Area
- Basement Ceiling Runs And Utility Rooms
Step 3: Inspect Your Sump Pump
A working sump pump protects against Ohio’s fall rains and saturated soil that can back up into basements. Test by pouring a bucket of water into the pit and confirming quick activation and discharge. Logan Services offers sump pump testing, pit cleaning, check-valve replacement, camera inspections, and battery backup installation by experienced professionals for reliable performance during storms.
Sump Pump Maintenance Tips
- Clear Debris From Pit And Inlet Screen
- Verify Check Valve Orientation And Tight Clamps
- Confirm A Dedicated, GFCI-Protected Power Source
- Consider A Battery Backup For Outages
Step 4: Insulate Exposed Pipes
Wrap cold- and hot-water lines in unheated areas—garages, crawl spaces, and basements—to reduce the risk of pipes freezing and heat loss. Foam sleeves and heat tape (where appropriate) are fast, low-cost safeguards. Logan Services can evaluate vulnerable runs along an exterior wall, recommend the right pipe insulation, and add insulation or install heat cable where needed for added freeze protection of pipes.
Areas That Need Insulation
- Pipes Near Exterior Walls Or Drafts
- Long Runs To Bathrooms Over Garages
- Water Lines In Unfinished Basements
Step 5: Test Your Water Heater
Your water heater handled heavy summer workloads and faces higher demand as temperatures drop. Flush a few gallons to remove sediment buildup, check the T&P valve and fill valves, and set the temperature to ~120°F for safety and efficiency. Logan Services provides water heater flushing, anode rod replacement, repair work, T&P valve testing, and replacement options if your tank shows age or efficiency loss.
How To Test
- Drain/Flush To Reduce Scale And Noise
- Inspect T&P Valve And Expansion Tank
- Check the Anode Rod If Aging Or Discolored Water Appears
How Fall Plumbing Prep Supports Furnace Performance
- Keep Condensate Drains Clear: Clogged furnace or A/C condensate lines trigger shutdowns and water damage near the blower or secondary heat exchanger; Logan Services can clean drains and test condensate pumps.
- Service The Whole-Home Humidifier: Replace the evaporator pad, check the feed line and saddle valve, and set winter humidity to prevent scale buildup and dry-air complaints when the furnace runs.
- Protect The Mechanical Room: Fix nearby plumbing leaks that can rust the furnace cabinet or short electrical components; ensure the water heater and furnace have unobstructed combustion/makeup air.
- Stabilize Hot Water For Comfort: Water heater maintenance and mixing valve checks reduce lukewarm showers on cold mornings and help the home feel balanced as temperatures drop.
- Control Basement Moisture: A reliable sump pump and sealed penetrations keep water away from return ducts and equipment, supporting cleaner airflow and fewer odors.
Logan Services offers combined plumbing and HVAC tune-ups so your equipment starts clean, drains properly, and delivers consistent comfort across Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati.
Schedule Now to Prepare Your Plumbing for Fall
Protect your home and make fall start-up worry-free with professional service from Logan Services. Our licensed plumbing team handles complete plumbing winterization—keeping your family safe, preventing costly mistakes, and saving you time. As the changing seasons approach, now is the perfect time for home maintenance. Schedule a professional inspection and drain cleaning with Logan Services today.
Call (800) 564-2611 or schedule an appointment online to prepare your home’s plumbing for upcoming cold weather.
Common Questions About Fall Plumbing Preparation
Yes. Our licensed plumber team can winterize outdoor lines, inspect for hidden leaks, service sump pumps, insulate at-risk pipes, and flush or replace water heaters in Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Call for a comprehensive fall plumbing and heating check.
Rapid temperature changes stress plumbing, and early freezes can crack unprepared lines; fixing issues now prevents mid-season leaks and water damage.
Yes, a coordinated fall maintenance visit streamlines home maintenance, reduces repeat trips, and ensures your plumbing systems and heating are ready together.
Shut off the nearest valve, contain water, and schedule professional service to repair fittings or lines before cold weather worsens the problem.
Shut off interior valves to hose bibs, open outdoor spigots to drain, disconnect hoses, and add insulated covers; Logan Services can perform full winterization if shutoffs are stuck or inaccessible.
The perfect time to insulate any exposed hot or cold water pipes in unheated areas would be before overnight lows approach 40°F to reduce freeze risk and save energy.
Set it to 120°F for safety, efficiency, and consistent hot water as demand increases.
Look for signs like rumbling noises, rusty water, or an inconsistent cold water supply. Logan Services can inspect and service your water heater to ensure reliable performance through the cold months.
Neglecting plumbing prep can lead to frozen pipes, basement flooding, or water heater breakdowns. These emergencies cost far more than preventative service from Logan Services.
